I’m an Appraiser, But What the Heck is a [Divine Eye]? ~I Want to Live Freely as the World’s Best Beginner Class~ - Episode 209: Hot Springs, Hospitality, and Trouble 10

Episode 209: Hot Springs, Hospitality, and Trouble 10

“Ah! Mihiro, I’ve been waiting for you! Let’s head out right away!” 

“Hold on! Please wait, Your Majesty!”

As soon as we were brought into the royal chamber, His Majesty stood up from his chair and eagerly approached us the moment the doors closed.  

I couldn’t help but think, “Is this really okay?”. Glancing over at Dietrich-sama, I silently pleaded for help.  

“Ahem! …Your Majesty, may I ask you to step back for a moment? It seems you’re troubling Mihiro-sama.”  

“Oh? Am I? Very well, I shall step back.”  

“Th-thank you, Your Majesty.”

I shot a quick look of gratitude at Dietrich-sama before composing myself and explaining my invitation to the hot spring town of Granzawall.  

“By the way, Mihiro. What exactly is this ‘Onsen District’? I cannot picture it at all.”  

“I’m curious too. Even after reviewing ancient records, I couldn’t find any mention of an ‘Onsen District’.”

Hmm… Could it be that the otherworlders in the past never discovered hot springs?  

Well, the hot springs we found were located deep within the Forest of Demons. So it’s not surprising they couldn’t be found elsewhere.  

“Simply put, it’s like a bath.”  

“”…A bath?”” 

“Yes, but it’s a very relaxing and beneficial kind of bath.”

I explained it briefly, but neither of them seemed to grasp the concept fully.  

“Well, you’ll understand once you visit. Also, I hope you’ll allow us to properly extend our hospitality to you.”  

“Hmm? I am accustomed to daily hospitality from my subordinates. Do you truly think you can surpass that?”

His Majesty gave a sly smile, and I returned it with one of my own.  

“We might not be able to handle the finer details of personal service, but I can guarantee that the meals will be satisfying.”  

“Meals, you say? We have ‘intermediate-class’ Chefs here, you know.”

Intermediate class? That would put them on par with Yaka-san.  

However, considering they’re royal palace chefs, they likely don’t specialize in desserts like Yaka-san does. On our end, the lead is Ren, an ‘advanced-class’ Chef.  

Heh. There’s no doubt they’ll be pleased with the food.  

“Just so you know, we also have an ‘intermediate-class’ Chef. And, we even have an ‘advanced-class’ Chef.”  

“A-an ‘advanced-class’ Chef?!”  

Good, good, that’s the reaction I was hoping for.  

“So, I have a request. Could you bring a Chef from here to Granzawall?”  

“…You mean to teach us their techniques?!”  

“Yes. Both of our Chefs are from another world like me, and they’ve chosen to stay in Granzawall. Even if Your Majesty wanted to bring them here, it wouldn’t be possible, okay?”

“Hmm! ..…Well, yes, I suppose that’s true.”

Whew, good thing I preemptively made that clear. His voice sounded undeniably disappointed.  

“However, our Chefs do want their delicious dishes to be enjoyed by many people. If you could send a Chef to us, we’d be happy to provide recipes and other training.”

I capped it off with a wide smile to drive the point home.  

“…I—I wasn’t planning to force it that much anyway!”  

“Oh? I feel like Your Majesty could make it happen if you really wanted to.”  

“N-not at all! I’ll send the Chef as requested!”

Heh, success.  

Still, it feels like my secret weapon wasn’t necessary after all… But since we’re at it, let’s ask for a Pastry Chef too.  

“By the way, here is a baked treat made by our ‘intermediate-class’ Chef.”  

“A baked treat? Made by an ‘intermediate-class’ Chef?”

His Majesty sounded a little disappointed.  

But this was Yaka-san’s masterpiece, crafted specifically to convince His Majesty.  

“Please try a bite. And, if possible, consider sending a Pastry Chef as well.”  

“Hmm, a Pastry Chef at the intermediate class, you say… Very well, let me taste it.”  

“In that case, Your Majesty, allow me to try it first.”  

“Ah, then I’ll go first as a taster, for poison testing purposes.”

Ah, the classic. Being royalty sure is tough.  

I picked up a cookie from the bag and took a bite.  

…..Wow, it’s incredibly delicious.  

“Maki-san, that’s not fair!”  

“I want some too!”  

“Share it with me!”  

“I’d like to try it as well!”  

“W-wait! This is a gift for us, isn’t it?”  

“Quick, Your Majesty, let’s have some!”

Perhaps because Alicia and the others raised their voices, His Majesty and Dietrich-sama quickly took the bag from my hands.  

“Well then, let’s taste it!” 

“Yes!”

The two ate silently, but their expressions spoke volumes about how delicious it was.  

“….Yes, we’ll send a Pastry Chef too!”  

“Understood!”

And so, the decision to send both a Chef and a Pastry Chef was finalized.